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AFC Leopards Win Football Kenya Cup To Book Confederation Cup Ticket
The oldest club in Kenya, with a massive fan base, is through clinging to the relegation zone in the Kenya Premier League...
Oct 21, 2009 4:40:30 AM
The former regional
giants, AFC, who have missed continental football for over a decade, booked
a place in next year’s CAF Confederation after beating Congo United
4-1 in Football Kenya Cup final played at City Stadium on Tuesaday.
Congolese import Itubu
Imbem opened the floodgates in the 34th minute slotting home a Dennis
Mukaisi pass.
Then veteran Francis Xavier finished off Shikokoti’s corner with clinical precision, heading home two minutes after the break. Imbem scored his second on the hour mark, finishing off a Laurent Tumba move that had started with Shigogodi on the left flank.
Tumba scored in the 81st minute bundling home the ball which Mohammed Khamis in Congo’s goal had failed to firmly hold onto. Congo scored from the spot kick in the dying minutes of the game.
The win sparked wild celebrations in the packed City Stadium as fans poured onto the pitch dancing and chanting to traditional music for minutes on end after the final whistle.
Despite the win, Leopards coach Nick Yakhama admitted that they are not ready for continental football and the focus now is on recruiting experienced players.
"Playing at that level is a different ball game and we have to recruit players who can do it," Yakhama told The Standard.
Yakhama said his focus will now be on trying to survive relegation by beating Thika United this weekend at City Stadium. His counterpart, Shaffie Said was glad that his team made it this far pointing out that inexperience and playing on an artificial surface affected their game plan.
"Most of our players are young with majority still in school. It was history for us reaching this stage. We have learnt our lessons and hope to come back a better side next year," he said.
James Momanyi, Goal.com
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Then veteran Francis Xavier finished off Shikokoti’s corner with clinical precision, heading home two minutes after the break. Imbem scored his second on the hour mark, finishing off a Laurent Tumba move that had started with Shigogodi on the left flank.
Tumba scored in the 81st minute bundling home the ball which Mohammed Khamis in Congo’s goal had failed to firmly hold onto. Congo scored from the spot kick in the dying minutes of the game.
The win sparked wild celebrations in the packed City Stadium as fans poured onto the pitch dancing and chanting to traditional music for minutes on end after the final whistle.
Despite the win, Leopards coach Nick Yakhama admitted that they are not ready for continental football and the focus now is on recruiting experienced players.
"Playing at that level is a different ball game and we have to recruit players who can do it," Yakhama told The Standard.
Yakhama said his focus will now be on trying to survive relegation by beating Thika United this weekend at City Stadium. His counterpart, Shaffie Said was glad that his team made it this far pointing out that inexperience and playing on an artificial surface affected their game plan.
"Most of our players are young with majority still in school. It was history for us reaching this stage. We have learnt our lessons and hope to come back a better side next year," he said.
James Momanyi, Goal.com
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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